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The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday that the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) will join as members, adding two storied West Coast athletics programs to the roster of schools that will regularly face the Terps in conference competition.
Current conference members unanimously accepted the applications from the Trojans and Bruins, which will begin Big Ten play in 2024. In a statement, UMD President Darryll J. Pines and Damon Evans, the Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, praised the additions of USC and UCLA for their athletic traditions as well as long histories as leading research institutions who are part of the Association of American Universities.
“They share higher education priorities in providing well-rounded student-athlete experiences. Their focus on student-athlete welfare and developing and celebrating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion align with the values of the Big Ten,” they said. “UCLA and USC have championship pedigrees in athletics and we are excited to compete against the Bruins and Trojans.”
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